Indian Pilgrims' Fatal Bus Crash in Nepal: 25 Dead, Remains Repatriated to Maharashtra

Union Minister Raksha Nikhil Khadse confirms collaboration between the Indian Embassy and Nepal government after a bus accident in Nepal kills 25 Indian pilgrims. The deceased were repatriated to Maharashtra by an Indian Air Force aircraft. Autopsies were conducted at Bharatpur Hospital.

In a tragic incident, the mortal remains of 25 Indian pilgrims killed in a bus accident in Nepal have been repatriated to Maharashtra's Jalgaon. Union Minister Raksha Nikhil Khadse announced on Sunday that the Indian Embassy and the Nepalese government coordinated efforts for this mission, with significant support from the medical team.

The bus reportedly veered off the highway and plunged into a ditch at around 11 AM on August 23. Khadse confirmed that the bodies were transported by aircraft post-mortem, and medical staff are attending to 16 injured individuals. The Indian Air Force's C-130 J aircraft carrying the remains landed at Jalgaon Airport on Saturday.

The accident, which claimed 27 lives and injured 16, occurred when a bus traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu skidded off the road and fell into the Marsyangdi River in the Tanahun district. Autopsies of the deceased were conducted at Bharatpur Hospital before the bodies were handed over to Indian authorities. Union Minister Khadse, along with Maharashtra legislator Sanjay Shubhakar, visited Nepal to check on the injured pilgrims' health.

(With inputs from agencies.)